The magic of poker has come to the internet too and just like the real world, here too players are having a blast playing poker games. Players are spoilt for choice be it the poker sites, poker rooms, poker variations or even poker players. One can play poker at any time of the day or night and also choose players that they would like to play with. There is no denying the advantages of playing poker on the net.

However, it is also true that poker is not a game one can hope to master by playing a few times. There are several variations to the basic game of poker and each one has its own rules and winning strategies. Learning these can take a lifetime and this is why poker is rightly considered a game of luck, strategies and practice too.

While it is true that each variation of poker has its own unique rules, it is also a fact that some of the basic rules of poker apply to all its variations. Similarly there are some basic poker strategies that work in almost all cases of poker. Below is a list of few of these basics of poker play.

• Table watch – Irrespective of where you are hoping to play poker or the type of game that you wish to play, it is always better to watch the table for some time before you join in. This will allow you to judge the play of the people who are already at the table. You will be able to pick up on the tells too and most of all, will be able to assess if the table is indeed suitable to your needs or not. Remember, these observations will go a long way in converting a hand and wining the booty.• Poker face – Many players believe that a poker face only needs to be maintained in cases of real time play, but this is not entirely true. Poker face is a term that means that you should conceal both your excitement and your disappointment. Maintaining a calm composure and retaining it right through the play is integral to the game of poker be it online or not. Keep in mind that your opponents will be observing you and looking for tells and if you are not careful you will give your cards away by being too obvious.• Bet judiciously – Betting on every hand that is dealt to you will lead to losses. It is very important that you learn to weigh the hands that should be played and the ones that are a complete waste of time. The same hand maybe worth playing under certain conditions and an absolute waste under others. So it is crucial that one learns to assess and judge the hand and its chances of winning and then place the bet as opposed to betting blindly.

It is a fact the poker players who are just entering this exciting world of poker, should begin their orientation with individual play. This allows one to learn the game much faster and also pick up a few tricks on the way. Once you are comfortable playing one on one games, move to group tables and so on.

When you start playing ring game poker online, you should focus on making good table selection decisions, read the vital stats, like how many hands are played per hour, and what percentage of the players see the flop, you can see how tight the table is and if your poker strategy will be profitable when applied.